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31 January 2011
Last updated at 06:23 ET
Two children in neighbouring housing estates in west Belfast have taken their own lives.
Martin Rooney, 13, and 11-year-old Ciara Doherty died in unconnected incidents at their homes in Twinbrook and Mount Eagles.
A suicide prevention organisation said it is concerned about the number of calls it is receiving from parents about their young children.
Martin Rooney's funeral will be held on Monday.
Imelda Jordan, principal of St Colm's High School where Martin was a pupil, said the "school community are deeply saddened and shocked by Martin's tragic death".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was a young man who was a bubbly popular person with a large friendship group. He loved soccer, he was a keen talented player," she said.
'Difficult time' "In our school we have a very good pastoral system. Our teachers and pupils have been supporting each other throughout recent days.
"I think it is going to be a difficult time and we will be helping our young people."
Annie Armstrong, from the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership said: "We've had a difficult year in this community because of the number of suicides but this is even more shocking because these are two babies in my view and that makes it worse.
"It's just unbelievable.
"I would encourage anyone who is in despair or crisis themselves or who may have concerns about a son, daughter, or friend to avail of the help that is available."
The Colin Task Group, which is comprised of a number of local and statutory groups met on Sunday.
Additional services will be provided over the next week in schools and youth settings, as well as via Facebook and through additional counselling support.
The group advises anyone with concerns to contact their local GP or the Lifeline helpline on 0800 8088000.
Philip McTaggart is a director of PIPS , a suicide prevention charity.
Coping skills "The young people that we're talking about, they don't really give off signs," he said.
"They're not openly giving off signs so it's very hard for parents to pick up that there is anything wrong at all.
"We have put in place a counsellor who works with young people aged four to 18. We have young people getting counselling at the minute who are 10, who have lost parents to suicide.
"I think we need to bring life skills, coping skills, back into the curriculum where young people are taught these skills from primary school."
Brian Heading is an SDLP councillor in the area.
"The loss of any child in a community will be a shock for us and obviously our feelings are with the families who have endured this," he said.
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Martin Rooney, 13, and 11-year-old Ciara Doherty died in unconnected incidents at their homes in Twinbrook and Mount Eagles.
A suicide prevention organisation said it is concerned about the number of calls it is receiving from parents about their young children.
Martin Rooney's funeral will be held on Monday.
Imelda Jordan, principal of St Colm's High School where Martin was a pupil, said the "school community are deeply saddened and shocked by Martin's tragic death".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was a young man who was a bubbly popular person with a large friendship group. He loved soccer, he was a keen talented player," she said.
'Difficult time' "In our school we have a very good pastoral system. Our teachers and pupils have been supporting each other throughout recent days.
"I think it is going to be a difficult time and we will be helping our young people."
Annie Armstrong, from the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership said: "We've had a difficult year in this community because of the number of suicides but this is even more shocking because these are two babies in my view and that makes it worse.
"It's just unbelievable.
"I would encourage anyone who is in despair or crisis themselves or who may have concerns about a son, daughter, or friend to avail of the help that is available."
The Colin Task Group, which is comprised of a number of local and statutory groups met on Sunday.
Additional services will be provided over the next week in schools and youth settings, as well as via Facebook and through additional counselling support.
The group advises anyone with concerns to contact their local GP or the Lifeline helpline on 0800 8088000.
Philip McTaggart is a director of PIPS , a suicide prevention charity.
Coping skills "The young people that we're talking about, they don't really give off signs," he said.
"They're not openly giving off signs so it's very hard for parents to pick up that there is anything wrong at all.
"We have put in place a counsellor who works with young people aged four to 18. We have young people getting counselling at the minute who are 10, who have lost parents to suicide.
"I think we need to bring life skills, coping skills, back into the curriculum where young people are taught these skills from primary school."
Brian Heading is an SDLP councillor in the area.
"The loss of any child in a community will be a shock for us and obviously our feelings are with the families who have endured this," he said.
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